Equipment

Hi-Rail Equipment

Excavators

BTE-308

BTE-313

BTE-M318

BTE-325

BTE-326

BTE-330

Backhoes

BTE-420XE

BTE-450

Carts

Ballast Center Dump Cart

Configurable Cart

Power Side Dump Cart

Tub Cart

Power Units

BallastPower Rover

Railbound Hydraulic Power Unit (RHPU)

Custom Solutions

Parts & Service
Attachments

Attachments

Bridge Work

Trackjack

Buckets and Grapples

Digging Bucket

Ditching Bucket

Power Grip Bucket

Cribbing Bucket

Thumb Bucket

Culvert Cleaning

Culvert Cleaner

Mini Culvert Cleaner

Track Construction

Magnet

Panel Lifter

Pile Driver

Rail Breaker

Rail Threader

Tin Bin

Tower Shear

Tie Handling

Concrete Tie Unloader

Multi-Grapple

Roller Tube Talon

Tie Dragon

Tie Head

Tie Shear

Tube Talon

Universal Tie Head

Undercutting and Tamping

Cribber

Diamond Tamper

Tamper

Undercutter

Undercutter with Spoils Wheel

Universal Tamper

Vegetation and Snow

Brush Cutter

Cold Air Blower

Extendable Pole Saw

Mulcher

Parts & Service
Technology

Technology

Priority Hydraulics

BTE’s system delivers 30% more hydraulic flow to attachments in use—maximizing performance, precision, and on-track efficiency.

Auto Tool Recognition (ATR)

ATR auto-adjusts hydraulic settings to match your BTE attachment—reducing setup time, errors, and the need for manual recalibration.

Safety

Safety is engineered into everything we build. From tech-driven features like Bridge Mode to intuitive operator alerts, BTE puts protection first.

Smart Controls

Simple touchscreen controls and built-in fail safes keep your crew productive, your machine protected, and downtime to a minimum.
Resources

Resources

Training

From remote support to on-site sessions, BTE training makes it easy for your crew to master operation, safety, and maintenance.

FAQ

Have questions about specs, leasing, or equipment capabilities? Our FAQ covers the most common topics to get you answers fast.

Leasing Options

Avoid upfront costs and scale your fleet as needed. BTE offers flexible leasing options to fit your timeline and your budget.

Financing

Short-term or long-term, our flexible financing options help you get the equipment you need—on terms that work for your team.

Video Library

See BTE Hi-Rail Equipment and Attachments in action, delivering unmatched performance and reliability for your entire team.

Download Center

Browse detailed spec sheets for BTE equipment and attachments to find specifications, features, and compatibility information.
Insights

insights

Blog

From product updates to industry news, you can find practical insights from our subject matter experts to help your team work smarter and safer.

Case Studies

See how real Maintenance of Way (MOW) crews are using BTE equipment to tackle tough jobs, improve efficiency, and keep maintenance on track.
About

About BTE

Get in Touch

Since 1964, Ballast Tools Equipment (BTE) has been solving the biggest, most persistent problems for the people who keep the trains running on time.
When you need the right equipment right now, BTE stays equipped to deliver.

Events

Meet us at industry shows across North America. Our team is on the road year-round—check out where we’ll be next.

Careers

From shop to field to engineering, every role at BTE moves rail forward. Explore opportunities to build your future with us.

Construction

Panel Lifter

Attachment

Safely move and install full rail panels with minimal boots on the ground. Ideal for rapid panel replacements in track construction and emergency restoration.

overview

The BTE Panel Lifter is designed to securely handle wood tie panels up to 40 feet in length, making rail maintenance and construction projects easier and safer. Equipped with four hydraulically controlled clamps, it ensures a strong grip on the rails, providing stability during handling. The improved visibility of the clamps allows operators to verify positive clamping before lifting, while the compact and lightweight frame boosts the excavator’s lift capacity, enhancing performance without compromising safety.

Features

Easily handle wood tie panels up to 40 feet in length
Four hydraulically controlled clamps ensure secure grip of the rails
Improved visibility of the clamps to ensure positive clamping before lifting panel
Compact, lightweight frame provides additional lift capacity for the excavator
Compatible with the BTE-330 and the BTE-325/326

BTE Means It’s Built Better

Efficient Panel Handling

Lifts panels up to 40 feet, streamlining large-scale rail projects while improving efficiency and reducing manual labor

Secure Clamping

Four hydraulically controlled clamps provide a firm grip on fully-intact panels

Safety Upgrade

Clamps require operator confirmation to disengage, eliminating inadvertent panel release

Buy. Lease.

Get the attachments you need, right when you need them.

At-a-Glance

Panel Lifter - US

SPEC
Height/Length	38” x 27”
Width	17.50”
Weight	600 lbs
Auxiliary Hydrualic Circuits Reqs.	Med. Pres. Circuit
Squeeze Cylinder Reqs.	10 Max GPM / 3,000 Max PSI

Panel Lifter - Metric

SPEC
Height/Length	966 mm x 686 mm
Width	445 mm
Weight	273 kg
Auxiliary Hydrualic Circuits Reqs.	Med. Pres. Circuit
Squeeze Cylinder Reqs.	37 l/m / 20,684 kPa

Applications

Case Study

Emergency Washout Repair

Time is critical during any emergency washout repair, since normal operations halt while the track remains down and MOW crews address the damage. The typical washout repair process for our Class I railroad client required workers to climb into gondola cars, manually attach chains to heavy track panels, and guide panels as they were moved into place. Every step of that process is tricky, risky, and time-consuming.

Before BTE

Railroad tracks were severely flooded and quick repair was essential.

The BTE Difference

The BTE-325 Hi-Rail Excavator and Panel Lifter Attachment reconstructed the track in record time.

Compatible Machines

BTE-325

174 HP

BTE-326

202 HP

BTE-330

273 HP

See it in Action

Need it now? Let's connect.

BTE has an array of attachments for all of your hi-rail excavators and backhoes. With our headquarters in Missouri and strategic BTE locations across North America, the machines you need can be available as soon as now.

Explore More Attachments

BTE engineers versatile, dependable attachments for every hi-rail application. Explore our full line of work attachments and experience the BTE difference.

We are certain we have the perfect machine for you to help accomplish even the toughest of projects.

Let’s Talk Solutions

BTE is here to make railroad track maintenance and construction safer, simpler, and faster. Tell us what your team needs. We’ll build a better tomorrow together.

Resources

Maintenance, Equipment, Insights